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timui129
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Name: Long Hin Timotheus
Country: United States
State: Texas
Birthday: 12/29/1984
Gender: Male
Interests: Quite a lot. Love thinking. I'm sure it used to be the best. But I think now I love people more than thinking... Whistling, Coin Collecting, Singing, Learning, Sleeping, Travelling, Listening (not listening exam), Football (not American), Worshipping. Finally... Living, I love living!
Expertise: Theology, Archaeology
Occupation: Student
Message: message meEmail: email me
MSN: timui129@hotmail.com
ICQ:  218191626
Member Since:
1/18/2004
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| Woke up at 8, daily devotion, Watchman woke up at little later to take a shower. Updated xanga. We set off to the archery club where Watchman drove me. Since he will spend time with some of his A&M schoolmates now in Dallas, said goodbye and prayed together in the car before he left. I did some archery with the Timothy Fellowship people. It was pretty fun. Shot balloons at the end where I got a couple. After that went to lunch at Bistro B. My first meal in 6 days, was already very longing for solid food, so enjoyed the meal very much. Finally my fast was over. I'll say this time it has been a very good experience fasting. Experienced a lot of weakness and God helping me. Originally wanted to go to visit Vincent, but nobody's going, so can't go there... a little disappointed. However, Michelle, Alex, Yip and Gary decided to go to White Rock Lake to cycle. With energy renewed by eating, cycled around. First went to Graham and Rachel's place to borrow two bikes, took it up in Gary's car, then went to my place to get my bike, 3 bikes transport them to White Rock Lake. Since it's such a last minute decision, we didn't do a lot of preparation so was pretty lost towards where we should go, since White Rock Lake is pretty big, there are many locations to enter the lake area. Took a while to find out. In the end the 5 of us decided not to rent extra bikes since it's so expensive and there's less than 2 hours before we have to return them. We took turns to ride, didn't ride a lot in fact. Gary drove the bikes back to Graham's place and then to auntie Annie's store. Today there's a hot pot dinner at that place because Patrick from Tucson, Arizona has come to visit due to his business trip in Alabama. He brought a new friend to us, who's already a Christian called Ryan, nice to meet him. Sharon also brought her UTD schoolmate Kelvin here, he's going to the Local Church, so I seized the opportunity to borrow a bible from him to investigate if the accusations towards that translation is true. Seems like the test is pretty original and there is in fact no problem with the translation itself, however, the interpretation of the text in the footnotes aren't all something I would agree with. So I guess it is wrong to say that the translation is bad, but we can question their interpretation of the text in certain areas, especially those that take the text in face value and neglect the tradition of interpretation. After the hot pot, went to Tapioca House just to hang out a bit. Patrick and Ryan originally planned to stay in Eric's place, however they were unable to find Joe, Eric or Calvin. So they had no where to go. They ended up staying in my place, after auntie Annie's consent. Actually in the end, the three of us chatted until past 2. It was such a good chat and I got to know Ryan a lot more. He's a pretty serious person, so sort of similar kind as I am, so easily clicked. He had a lot of theological questions too. After the chat, Patrick went to sleep and Ryan went on studying a bit while I continued to finish up preparing for the sunday school for tomorrow. Ryan slept by 4 and I finally slept by half 5.
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| Woke up at half 7, had 14 hours of sleep (17:30-7:30), can't recall when I've slept so long already in the past! Though woke up periodically, once at 7, once at 10, once at 2, and once at 6, but still it was nice sleep indeed. Refreshing in terms of my lack in sleep. Asked Dr. Kreider a question through email, then prepared for leading singspiration two Saturdays later for Timothy. Updated xanga a bit as I waited for 9:30 to come to call back home. Also sent happy birthday to Owen (Vancouver STM member), 918 is easy to remember, since I only need to remember Manchurian Crisis on 918 in 1931. Called dad and mom, talked about fasting and prayer. Didn't talk very long, less than 1 hour. Continued to finish updating all past xanga entries. Then did a little research on an Aramaic inscription about Uzziah, which mom mentioned. Then started preparing for bible study. Just revised materials that was prepared last year. Added stuff into that, took less than 2 hours. Rested in the afternoon. Drank fruit juice and before I set off for church, drank vegetable soup, just to prepare myself for solid food tomorrow, so that my stomach will not be unable to adjust. Cycled to the church beside DCBC because the Vancouver STM team is meeting there and we prayed together. Actually I got to leave early since I have CCF, so went over. Led bible study, today Josh and Alvin two newcomers came. However I don't think I did too well today in terms of the atmosphere etc. I might have to revise the materials again next time too to improve it. Watchman suddenly called in the afternoon saying that he will come over this weekend. So I informed auntie Annie. However, he was late, so I returned home first instead of waiting for him at church. Really looking forward, since it's just like the days before when we were in HK as teens, sleeping over at each other's place. Watchman came before 11, settled down and we chatted past midnight on various things, some Yanfook issues Watchman noted to me. I think he is much more connected and involved with Yanfook than I am, afterall, he's pastor So's son. A lot is on worship style, which shouldn't really be a very central issue. Hope Yanfook people will be tolerant on these things and know the freedom they have got and not be narrow-minded onto a particular model. We slept before 1.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up at 6, cycled to school. I actually set off early already, there was slight rain after I crossed Plano road, and I prayed and the rain stopped as I passed International Parkway, so it wasn't very bad. But since I am riding more slowly than normal, I nearly missed the train. I guess in the future I should aim for the 7:01 train rather than the 7:06 one so to be more safe. Arrived at church on time. Ecclesiology class still on Israel and the Church. I think this session is more a session on dispensationalism and a critique of covenantalism than anything else. After that class, went to the library to study Greek. By 10, set off with Peter, a classmate from the pastoral leadership and theology class to head off to South Arlington to meet two pastors from Eden Road Community Church, where our real life church revitalization project would be done in. We arrived early. The pastors actually took us out for lunch, too bad that I'm fasting, can only sit there and see them it. In fact it is very tempting, and sometimes I will regret why I chose this week... but I guess the worst thing is the embarrassment when I need to explain to people... I explained to too many people already this week... Tuesday to George when he tried to get me down to have dinner with the EE people, Wednesday to auntie Annie, Michelle and Gary since they wanted to give me their leftovers, and today to the two pastors and 4 other classmates in my team... I think it was a pretty good start, although I can feel that their expectations on us are a bit different from what we wanted to do for the project. Peter drove me back to school, we were 20 minutes late for our class. So I missed Dr. Pentecost's discussion on Ishmael in Genesis 16 to 17. But good that I didn't miss his point on Genesis 22, that unconditional covenants can have conditional blessings attached to it. I'll say this semester my classes are all very dispensational in nature, so learning more about dispensationalism. After this class went to the Greek class. Actually can see that today I'm feeling weaker, like more easily feeling cold in the air-conditioning and less strength going up the stairs etc. Well, the fast is nearly over. Which I am really looking forward. But for now, continue to focus and pray. Rode back home, again escaped from the rain. I can see that there has been a huge downpour during my class time, which I escaped from, there was still slight rain by the time I got out of class, but it stopped as I began riding. Around 30 minutes after I arrived home, there was another downpour... really I don't think it's always coincidence. After checking email and taking a shower, I went to bed since I'm already so tired... slept by 17:30 earlier than ever.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up around 9. Finished my reading for the pastoral theology and leadership class. MSNed for a little while too. Set off to church, caught the train and arrived the time I desired. Went to Luke's pantry to get food. Then went to class. Did Storyboarding which is a process to discover core-values, it was good exercise. We tried to discover the core values of DTS, which concluded in Scripture, Theology, Biblically centred preaching and teaching, Development of servant leadership, Original languages and Pastors. Dr. Malphurs also shared with us about a Chinese Church in California that he's working with, shared with us the ministry analysis and what he's thinking about. So had pretty good interaction with that. I'll say this is the best session so far for this class. After class, packed up all the stuff in my bike and set off home. Again there was no rain all day even though I was already prepared to ride in the rain. Finished my Greek readings and the quiz before Ho gor coming to pick me up to prayer meeting. Today is EE prayer meeting, was praying with Ho gor and another brother who speaks Mandarin. Pretty nice. Took Sharon back home first and then Ho gor went to buy something to eat, afterwards headed off to Jimmy's home. Played StreetFighter as we waited for Bennett to come. Then continued to play a little longer. They were trying to make the special moves which a lot of times they fail to. We shared and prayed. There was some time dedicated to reconciliation between Ho gor and Jimmy, I'll say that was the point of going to Jimmy's home. It was good, just that it ran really late. We left a bit before 1. Already near 2 when I arrived home. Still have to finish my Greek assignment... worked on that until past 2... slept before half 2.
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| Woke up at 6, was dark outside, because I was hesitant towards whether I should get changed since there's slight rain outside, I set off late (in the end I decided not to change), and missed my desired train and took the next one. It was only light drizzle, so didn't get my clothes soaked, just slightly wet on the surface, quickly dried up in the train. The train was running slight delays too, I guess it's because of the new Green Line in service starting yesterday, there are still adjustments. So in the end, I was late for class for around 10 minutes... really didn't like it, didn't know what the professor said in the first 10 minutes, although when I came in, he was talking about what we left off last session. Today's ecclesiology class is on the distinction between Israel and the Church, a very hot topic in the debate between covenantal theology and dispensational theology. Actually helped me to clear up many things. The distinction between the church and Israel is not eternal, there is one plan of God but the Church and Israel have distinct places in this single plan. Israel should not be defined as ethnic Israel, but as Israel who shares the faith of Abraham and God works to them according to the Mosaic Covenant. The Church should be defined as people who shares the faith in Jesus Christ and God works with them according to the New Covenant in the Spirit. It is not that Israel is replaced by the church, but because of Israel's failure, the New Covenant replaced the Old (Mosaic) Covenant and the church becomes the mediator of the blessings in the Abrahamic Covenant rather than Israel. And the church can partake in the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant because of faith. Israel will also get their promise out of their faith. There are many in Israel that are actually not Israel if it is a Israel that is defined by sharing the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, including modern day Israel, the political entity and ethnic group which is very anti-Christ, where Christ is the perfect Israel, the head of the Church. Just a key session to be in, especially in clarification of dispensational theology. Actually dispensationalists struggled with this for a long time themselves. A difficult topic. After class, went to the library and studied Greek, had a little bit of time so updated a bit of my xanga, already one week no update... really didn't get the free time to update now... Went to chapel.
Monday, September 14, 2009
(recovered as at Tuesday, September 15, 2009)
Woke up at around 9. Prepared for CCF Bible study for a little while. By half 10, it started to pour heavily, and it was really bad timing, since I have to go back to church to meet Andy Ho at 11... waited a little while, the rain didn't seem to get lighter, only a little lighter, but still pouring bad... decided still I got to set off. So had my waterproof jacket on, which protected my upper body well. But my lower body was soaked. So I have already prepared an extra pair of shorts to change as I arrive in church. Collin Blvd was also flooding badly, I guess there's as much water splashing upwards from below from the wheels of my bike as there is from the downpour from above. Arrived at church without much problem, just a bit late. Had nice chat with Andy, worked out practical things and started share more about myself. Andy Ho gave me a ride back, I arrived home by around half 12. Took a shower, did my laundry, by 1, felt sleepy so took a nap until 4. Woke up, continued to work on the bible study until 7. After completing that worked on my Greek. Actually during the whole process I was trying to find a pair of good waterproof pants. Eva helped me a lot. I finally picked one by 11, I was nearly ready to send the order when Eva offered that she can add my name into her car insurance and let me drive Vincent's car. If that would work, it would really give me a lot more convinience. I'll have to wait for her to ask her insurance company. But really appreciated her sacrifice, with bearing many risks for me and paying for the depreciation of her car because I'm using it. But God surely prepares, shall see how that will work out. Went to bed before 1 at night int he end finishing up all my Greek.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up at half 7, after breakfast followed auntie Annie to church. Was early so I started peeling off vegetables to start with. Liz was the first to show up and we worked on the cabbage together. Soon most of the people arrived and we started chopping vegetables and the cooking process. We had plenty of time today and the whole process of church cooking was good. By 10:15 I went out of the kitchen and went to teach sunday school. Today's class is on original intent of the author, it's the only point I want to stress and I feel pretty good about the session today, believe that the target was achieved. After sunday school returned back to the kitchen to distribute lunches, and had lunch myself. Cleaned up everything and finished the whole process by half 2. June was praying with other sisters so waited for her for a while. Then set off with Jacquie, June and John (June's brother) to downtown, since John's leaving back for California tomorrow. Went to Dallas World Aquarium. In fact it's really more a zoo than an Aquarium. It isn't a big place but they use the space really well so there is actually quite a lot to see. We had pretty good time, just that it's pretty expensive, it would be better if the price can go 6-8 dollars down (it's like 20 dollars total). Went to Korean town to have dinner, Bennett, Jenny and Ho gor joined us. It was good. Then Bennett and Jenny offered to pray for me, which is good, we had good chat and care for one another. It's the first time they were the active one to care for me first, usually it's me taking the initiative to care for them while in the process they care for me back, so this time is reverse, which is good. I think they are doing real well now, and they acknowledged me for setting up the momentum and laying the foundation for their communication and relying on God in their relationship. They drove me to Yeung's place, it's his birthday party. Actually it's already half 11 when I arrived and most of the people have left. But still wanted to hang out a bit with them. Ate the birthday cake, looked at photos and chilled until half 12. Alex drove me back home, chatted a bit with him during the drive and got to know him more. Slept after daily devotion by 1.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up at around 9. Prepared for the sunday school for tomorrow. Ho gor came at 1 to pick me up and we visited Vincent together. Haven't seen him for 2 months already! He seemed OK, though admitted some problems. In fact he was caring for Ho gor back, which is a good sign that he has the heart to observe and care. Ho gor wasn't open to him though. After visiting Vincent, I didn't let Ho gor go and explained to him the significance of the passage we were going to lead today, and relate it to our visiting of Vincent and real practical experience of his life. Basically I opened my heart to him. He left and continued to prepare for the bible study himself for a while before coming back again at half 6. Drove me to church, listened to minister Wu from Panama share again, led bible study, went fine. Returned home past 11. Did final preparation for sunday school tomorrow. Slept around 1 after daily devotion.
Friday, September 11, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up at half 9, called back home, talked with dad and mom about charismatics mostly. Knew that Long Sum had some experience too. Talked for quite long today. Afterwards prepared for tomorrow's bible study for Timothy. It was raining to church, but by the time I set off to church it was only light rain. Today's CCF is newcomer kick off party, it was pretty good. Returned home by 11. Originally Watchman said he would be coming up to Dallas, but finally he was too tired and didn't come. Originally he would stay at my place, too bad that this is not happening, it would be so similar to our sleepovers in the past when we were in Hong Kong. Instead, called Long Sum and we chatted for a long time and talked about many things. It was really good, prayed for each other too. Finally slept around 4 after daily devotion. Looking back, I think it was good, since if Watchman came up, I wouldn't have talked with Long Sum, can see God's appointed timing here.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up at quarter to 6. Breakfast and set off to school. Ecclesiology class then studied Greek, student chapel spoken by Dr. Allman. Then reading for Dr. Pentecost's class, then went to that class, then Greek class. Very plain ordinary school day. Returned home, cooked and ate dinner, rested at night, did some miscelleneous things.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up at 10, set off to school by 11, arrived and went to Luke's pantry. It's the first day that I've attached the basket onto the rack at the back of my bike. It works well. The pastoral leadership class was pretty boring today... Went to the library and borrowed some books for my sunday school class. Returned home after that with all my groceries and books inside the basket. I think the basket did the job, I am now able to carry many things on this "trunk" on my bike, real good. Worked on my Greek before prayer meeting. Then met Bennett and Ho gor at Dave and Buster, just chatted as we had some snacks and then played some video games. Left by 11. Returned home and continued doing the Greek, slept around 2.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)
Woke up at quarter to 6, set off to school after breakfast. Ecclesiology class on what is the church, still the prof is trying to evaluate different definitions. Studied Greek after that class, seems like the routine is already set by now for my schooldays towards what time I'm going to do what. Then chapel by Dr. Bingham, stressing the historic faith that we have to preserve and pass on. Teaching us not to change this faith because of contextualization, and used the liberal theology movement in the 19th century in Europe as an example to prove that it's not going to work. After chapel, read on the kingdom and covenants class. Then went to that class, started on Abraham. Then went to Greek class. All fine. Returned home, cooked and ate dinner, now I usually have earlier dinners since I skip lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At night did reading on the pastoral theology and leadership class. Rested at night.
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| Woke up at 8, breakfast, waited for Ho gor, but he got in trouble on the road, received a ticket, so was late... Went to UTD to play tennis, Wilson, Vivian, John (June's brother), George, Bennett and Jenny was there together. I played from 9:30 till like 11:30. Joshua called to find us out for lunch. Originally didn't intend to join them since I have leftover food at home and also Ho gor would need time to prepare for the pre-study. But then I guess Joshua really wanted someone to eat out with him, so at the end decided to go. Since there's time in between before Joshua can get out. Vivian, Ho gor came back to my place and they washed up and took a shower. I started working on installing the rack on my bike, but didn't find the tools I needed. Didn't finish, just got changed and set off again after briefly chatting with grandma. Went to Yuan Luk. Waited for Joshua and later Lareina to come. They were always saying one of the waitresses had bad service... The portion also wasn't big, but the taste is fine. After lunch returned home. Settled Ho gor down to work on the bible study. Installed the rack onto my bike. Hope that it can carry some books for me rather than I have to carry everything on my back. The bad thing is if there's too much stuff on the rack, it will block the hind light on my bike... so I guess at night I couldn't put a lot of things there. Then studied Greek until the evening. Cooked dinner, just put courgettes and chicken legs in the oven and stir fried some vegetables. Had dinner with Ho gor and auntie Annie, actually the first time to have dinner at the dinner table and first time to have dinner with auntie Annie. Afterwards we had bible study pre-study together, auntie Annie was with us this time, and from that I can see a need in her that she needs to learn to study the bible too. Actually pretty sad to see that a believer who has been to church for a quite lengthy time, 10-20 years, still is very inadequate in bible study methods... stimulates me to teach my sunday school class well. The pre-study made the night and I rested after Ho gor left.
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| Woke up at 8, breakfast then rode bike to church. Sunday service, sermon by PJ, in fact not really expository preaching, about emotion and the fact that it always has something to do in terms of our horizontal relationship with others but also reflects a verticle one with God. Sunday school, taught the first session. The class size was good, 12 people. I personally enjoyed it very much myself. It is very diversified, from college students to elderly people... so not easy to teach, some a not deep in the scripture while others already know scripture real well... so got to see what's the good way to teach. Had lunch, after that went to Tapioca House for a sit with Ho gor, Vivian, George, Lareina and Sharon. Went to Tian Tian to buy stuff for 腐竹雞蛋糖水. Actually took me some time before I found where the 腐竹 is located. Ho gor drove me to a bike store to buy a racket at the back. Since I need more space to put books when I ride back home from school, the knapsack itself is just not enough, especially if I'm doing grocery at the same time too. Ho gor then dropped me off at Costco where Henry, Wendy, Markus and Florence was. Met up with them. Bought some food for tonight and then set off to Henry and Wendy's home. First time to their place. Just rested and took a nap as we waited for everyone to come. Received a card and some photos for the trip from Stephanie, they were good. Cooked food, much like life in Ahousaht, playing the old roles. After dinner Drew shared about soaking in God, which is actually real quiet time with God. Even though I've never heard of this terminology, but I've been doing soaking all along. I still remember the times when I was in West Dean doing my archaeological fieldwork, I can soak for a whole day on my days off there. And in Hong Kong in the middle of a hike or on an island I can soak. Also in Ahousaht I soaked sometimes instead of reading the bible in quiet times in the mornings. Soaking is all about receiving and ceasing to strife or do anything enjoying God. Took place all the way from half 8 to half 11, just rested, actually fell asleep on and off... Didn't even know when Rosalee and Stephanie left, and they said they heard me snore, hahaha. Even when they were intensely praying for Andrea, I still thought I should continue to cease strife and soak more. It was good. After half 11, Wendy brought up about my life that I was unable to finish sharing last time. So I shared my life story to the ones who are still here. They were trying to help me out in some of my questions. Shared about praying for celibacy too. Ended at 1, originally they suggested to stay at their place for a night, but then Markus insisted that he wanted to go home, so followed him back. He dropped me off at church, and I rode my bike back home at 1 in the morning (second time after Wednesday). So in the end didn't have a lot of prayer time, which I originally wanted, had a lot of soak time instead, which maybe is what I actually needed rather than prayer time. Maybe God is telling me I don't really need people to pray for me. In fact I did feel that I'm trying to avoid things and leave things till second last minute to do them, no matter school stuff or church stuff, sometimes even on relying on God, like I don't want to face certain things until the time I really have to. Which is not good. And fasting has always been in my mind, but I have been worried with my 1 hour bike ride each day if I go to school, whether I can manage if I fast at the same time, so not sure if I should do it. But I think God has already answered me today that I need to pray earnestly before Him. And my need of Him is more than my need to have energy for the bike ride. So I guess after I clear up all the food in the fridge, I'm going to fast for 3-5 days and pray for this semester, shall see. But surely I can't avoid things and need power to take on my things boldly with greater passion from God. Back home, just checked email. Slept by 2.
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